Just over 90% of all wood products imported into the UK is certified legal, a proportion similar to previous years even though the import volume in 2014 was substantially higher, according to the Timber Trade Federation (TTF).
There was improvement in risk management and due diligence with lower volumes of purchases coming from high risk sources. …

India’s total forest cover has increased 5,081 km2, according to the Forest Survey of India, a biennial assessment of India’s forest cover released December 4.
An update on India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), outlining the country’s intention to create additional carbon sink capacities, was …

Poor demand and low prices have resulted in a very tough year for Brazil’s furniture sector. Furniture production declined almost 18% in Western Santa Catarina State, one of the biggest furniture clusters in the country, while sales have dropped by as much as 40% in some market sectors, further exacerbating unemployment.
While manufacturers …

Malaysia’s exports rose 16.7% in October to RM75.8 billion (US$17.7 billion), the quickest month-on-month growth since May 2014.
The improvement was due to the increase in exports of manufactured goods to Southeast Asia, China, the EU and the US, as well as Singapore and Australia, according to a statement released by the Ministry of …

Indonesia and China have agreed to a sustainable timber trade. China has indicated it would now only import verified legal wood products. Indonesia’s SVLK certificates would be recognised as an evidence of legality.
The deal was made during the COP 21 Climate Talks in Paris when Indonesian Director General of Sustainable Forest Management, …

Austrian laminate flooring and panel producer Kronospan has entered the US flooring market with the acquisition of US-based Clarion Boards and Clarion Laminates.
Clarion Boards and Clarion Laminates, located in Shippenville, PA, manufactures MDF / HDF and laminate flooring in North America.
“The acquisition is a strategic first step into …

Italy’s woodworking technology sector is showing signs of growth and is expected to pick up further in 2016 as government incentives and a more positive economic sentiment are likely to encourage new investments, according to Acimall, the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers’ association.
Preliminary estimates for …

Siempelkamp will be supplying a complete particleboard line for KronoStar in Sharya, 600 km northwest of Moscow. A special feature of this order includes a 3D survey of the entire factory by Sicoplan; the new plant design can be integrated and custom-fitted into the existing infrastructure on site without any delays during planning.
The order …